Practice Report: (12/22/11)

Earl K. Sneed reports from the Mavericks' Thursday practice, where new addition Sean Williams joined the mix and reserve guards Jason Terry and Delonte West returned from illnesses.

DALLAS -- After admittedly struggling in their two-game preseason series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions returned to the practice court on Thursday ready to ramp up for Sunday’s season opener.

Following two preseason losses before a much-needed off day, the Mavericks swiftly shifted their attention to the Miami Heat, hoping to learn from their mistakes during the exhibition season before the Finals rematch on Christmas Day.

“We need to play better than we did in the two preseason games,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle admitted. “The mindset hasn’t changed, shouldn’t change. You know, we’re putting this thing together on a day-to-day basis, guys are working hard and we’ve got a lot of work to do. But we’ve got two more days and every minute helps.”

Meanwhile, the Mavs welcomed back two ailing bodies to practice with the return of reserve guard Jason Terry and Delonte West, both of which missed Tuesday’s 87-83 exhibition loss due to illnesses.

“There’s a virus going around the locker room,” Terry explained. “Definitely, everybody on my side of the locker room has been infected by it one way or another. But I managed to fight it off and thank God I’m in good health.”

The team also welcomed in big man Sean Williams to his first practice, joining West, Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Brandan Wright as the newcomers on the Mavs’ roster from a season ago after the organization waived guards Jerome Randle and Drew Neitzel. While the Mavericks’ Developmental League affiliate, the Texas Legends, retain the rights to the two young guards, Williams hopes to stick in the big leagues after the 17th overall pick in the 2007 Draft averaged 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in three seasons for New Jersey.

The 6-foot-10 Arlington native was a D-League All-Star last season and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, averaging 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks a night for the Legends.

“Well, we like him as a prospect. So, this is the beginning of a look, and I saw him play a little bit in the D-League last year. He’s athletic, he’s got a good defensive sense for the game, he’s got some skill, very athletic and we’re gonna take a good look at him,” Carlisle said of Williams.

“I’m excited to be with the Mavericks today and looking forward to the opportunity that I have with this team,” Williams added. “I think it’s exciting for my family, but I’ve been looking for any opportunity to get back in the NBA and I think it might make me a little more comfortable here at home. Just try to come in and do whatever I can to help this team.”

With 14 of the 15 roster spots apparently filled now, the Mavs head into Sunday’s early start focused on keeping the revenge-hungry Heat from getting even for June’s 105-95 Game 6 victory on Miami’s home floor to win the title. That puts more of a premium on Thursday’s practice, according to Carlisle, as the new-look team prepares to face a Heat squad intact from last season’s championship series in addition to adding veteran forward Shane Battier and big man Eddie Curry via free agency.

“They’re in a good position, because they have virtually their whole team back and they’ve added a couple of guys that are probably going to help them. So, there will be some teams in that boat, which is a good place to be. But I don’t know of a game this year that’s gonna be an easy game, so there’s no point in getting ourselves into thinking that any of these will be easy and Christmas Day is no different. And for us, the biggest thing is that we’re playing with a great amount of persistence and a great amount of efficiency. That’s gonna be the key for us really in the year,” Carlisle said while looking ahead to the league’s marquee matchup.

The Mavericks open up regular-season play on Sunday against the Miami Heat at 1:30 p.m. CT, in a matchup that will air nationally on ABC. Fans are encouraged to come early dressed in royal blue. The arena doors will open at 11:30 a.m. with a televised championship banner ceremony scheduled to begin promptly at 1:13 p.m.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Rivalry Pack: Aside from being a season ticket holder, the only way for Mavs fans to attend the home opener against the Miami Heat or either of the two Los Angeles Lakers games is through the Rivalry Pack. Tickets to the Dec. 25 game vs. the Miami Heat and the Feb.22 and March 21 games vs. the Los Angeles Lakers can be purchased as part of a three-game package that includes one (1) of the three premium games and two (2) additional regular season games.

RPL Nights: RPL Nights return for the sixth season and will feature special discounted tickets for 10 pre-selected games. Tickets normally priced $9 will be $2, $15 will be $10, $31 will be $20 and $42 will be $32.